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Messages & sources in Social studies

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Sample exercises

Grades 6–12 · Messages & sources

What is “lateral reading”?

  1. Reading the comments under a post
  2. Leaving the page to see what other trustworthy sources say about the claim and its source
  3. Reading every word of a page from left to right
  4. Reading only the headline
Answer and explanation

Leaving the page to see what other trustworthy sources say about the claim and its source

Fact-checkers check a source by looking at what others say about it.

Grades 6–12 · Messages & sources

Which is the best first question about an unfamiliar website?

  1. Who is behind this site, and what is its purpose?
  2. Does the site use nice colours?
  3. Is the font easy to read?
  4. How many images does it have?
Answer and explanation

Who is behind this site, and what is its purpose?

Knowing the author and purpose helps you judge reliability.

Grades 6–12 · Messages & sources

A photo shared online claims to show a flood “today”. Which check could reveal that it is an older photo?

  1. Reading the caption again
  2. Zooming in on the colours
  3. Counting the likes
  4. A reverse image search
Answer and explanation

A reverse image search

A reverse image search can find earlier copies of the same image.

Grades 6–12 · Messages & sources

Which headline is most likely designed to provoke emotion rather than inform?

  1. “Province reports 3% rise in apprenticeship registrations”
  2. “You Won’t BELIEVE What This Town Did!!!”
  3. “Library extends weekend hours starting in May”
  4. “City council approves new bike lanes on Main Street”
Answer and explanation

“You Won’t BELIEVE What This Town Did!!!”

Capital letters, exclamation marks and vague teasers aim at emotion.

Grades 6–12 · Messages & sources

A post says “a study proves” something. What should you look for?

  1. Who did the study, where it was published, and whether other studies agree
  2. Whether the post has many shares
  3. Whether the post uses the word “proves”
  4. Whether the post is short
Answer and explanation

Who did the study, where it was published, and whether other studies agree

Evidence quality depends on the research and whether it is confirmed.

Grades 6–12 · Messages & sources

Why should you check the date of an article?

  1. Older articles are always false.
  2. The information may be out of date, or old news may be reshared as if it were new.
  3. Newer articles are always true.
  4. Dates do not matter online.
Answer and explanation

The information may be out of date, or old news may be reshared as if it were new.

Context changes over time, and old stories are often recirculated.

Study notes

Persuasion techniques in advertising

Study guide for Grades 6 to 12: 2 worked examples and 2 practice questions. Notice how an ad tries to persuade: popularity, famous faces, time pressure or feelings. Then look for real evidence about the product.

Grades 6–12

Fact or opinion?

Study guide for Grades 3 to 8: 2 worked examples and 2 practice questions. Look for judgment words such as best, boring, beautiful or should. They usually signal an opinion.

Grades 3–8

Spot the opinion

Study guide for Grades 5 to 12: 2 worked examples and 2 practice questions. Compare the two statements: which one could be checked against evidence, and which one expresses a judgment?

Grades 5–12

Messages & sources · Quick reference

Reference sheet for Grades 3 to 12: persuasion techniques in advertising and spot the opinion. Notice how an ad tries to persuade: popularity, famous faces, time pressure or feelings. Then look for real evidence about the product.

Grades 3–12

Checking claims online

Study guide for Grades 6 to 12: 4 key ideas, including pause first, read laterally and find the original; 2 worked examples and 3 practice questions. Simple habits for judging whether information online can be trusted.

Grades 6–12

Checking claims online · Revision sheet

Reference sheet for Grades 6 to 12: 4 key ideas, including pause first, read laterally and find the original. Simple habits for judging whether information online can be trusted.

Grades 6–12